How I’m Navigating Dubai’s Rising Transport Costs with Car Sharing

Dubai is a city on the move, but moving around it has been getting more expensive. Taxis, Uber, and Careem rides are steadily climbing in cost, making affordable daily transport harder to come by. That's why I turned to car sharing — and after months of using Yaldi and Udrive, I’ve gathered a clear picture of what works, what doesn’t, and when these services actually save money.

Why I Use Car Sharing Instead of Owning a Car

I’m not sure how long I’ll be in Dubai. Therefore, buying a car feels like a risky commitment, especially with the hassle of selling it if my visa is ever cancelled. Car sharing apps like Yaldi and Udrive give me the freedom of driving without the long-term headache.

Price Comparison: Yaldi vs Udrive vs Taxi vs Uber

Here’s how the pricing breaks down today:

Bottom Line: Car sharing is cost-effective when trips are planned well — especially if there’s light traffic and easy parking. It works for both short and longer rides, provided you avoid conditions that rack up the per-minute fee.

How Car Sharing Works

1. Download the app of the service you would like to use.
2. Complete your registration by providing information such as you email, mobile number, Emirates ID, Emirates Driving License and a payment method such as your debit card.
3. Open the map and look for cars that are available in your area.
4. Reserve a car. Depending on the service you use, you will have around 10-15 minutes to walk to the car and start your ride.
5. Inspect that the car is in good condition and start your ride from the app. This will unlock the doors.
6. Check that the car has enough fuel. If not, most services allow you to refill it for free at any gas station.
7. When you arrive at your destination look for free RTA parking, or free parking that be accessed by anyone. You shouldn't park in underground or restricted areas. If you end up parking in an area which doesn't seem to be free or accessible you will receive a call from the car sharing team and will be asked to move the car.
8. Some services will ask you to take pictures of the car when you end the ride.

My Experience with Car Sharing

Over time, I’ve noticed a clear pattern when it comes to how good, or bad, my car sharing experience is.

Good Experiences:

I’ve had the best car sharing experiences under the following circumstance:

• The car was parked fairly close to me so I didn’t have to walk in the heat.
• The car had enough fuel to get me to my destination.
• I knew where I was going and where I was going to find RTA parking.
• There was no traffic.
• Correctly estimated that the ride would take less than an hour and chose to book the car for 1 hour instead of paying per minute, giving myself a nice discount.

Bad Experiences:

I’ve had the worst experiences with car sharing under the following circumstance:

• I was driving during rush hour while paying per minute.
• I could not find parking at my destination and had to keep circling the area while paying per minute.

Yaldi vs Udrive: The Key Differences

• Yaldi:
  • More cars available, especially in Dubai.
  • Higher rate (AED 1.59/min).
  • Can only be used within Dubai.
• Udrive:
  • Fewer cars, but improving.
  • Cheaper rate (AED 0.8/min).
  • You can drive across emirates — as long as you end your trip in the same emirate you started from.

Final Thoughts

Car sharing won’t work for every situation. But if you’re like me — flexible, cost-conscious, and living with some uncertainty — it can be the perfect middle ground between taxis and owning a car.

Right now, Udrive feels like the smarter choice in terms of price. Yaldi, on the other hand, often wins on availability. Neither is flawless, but if you plan smartly and avoid common pitfalls, you can save real money and enjoy a more independent way of getting around Dubai.